4th Grade California History Education Program

This program meets the curriculum requirements for 4th grade history/social science standards for California public schools (Section 4.3 and one-half of Section 4.4).

This program is approximately 2 1/2 hours (including time to enjoy lunch). A Party Pavilion will be available if students and teachers choose to bring a sack lunch and enjoy it at the end of the program.

School Field Trip Dates

January 21 – March 23, 2020
April 20 – May 22, 2020

Monday through Friday at 10:00 am

PRICES

Students: $16.00 eachAdults: $4.00 eachTeachers: FREE

Please note: Multiple schools may be grouped together on the same day.

Regular train tickets, coupons, special promotions, and other discounts are not valid for this program.

Home School Field Trip Dates

2020 Dates TBD

Start time 1:00 pm

PRICES

Students: $16.00 eachAdults: $4.00 each

Bookings for home school dates begin on January 7, 2020

Regular train tickets, coupons, special promotions, and other discounts are not valid for this program.

Seven Stations: Students Will Rotate Through All Stations

Train Rides

Fulfills CA Standards: Section 4.2 #3 & 7; 4.3 #1 & 5; Section 4.4 #1
The train takes both students and teachers on a trip through beautiful and scenic Irvine Regional Park. The train ride is narrated by the engineer and students will learn about the history of California and the transcontinental railroad.

Mine Shaft

Fulfills CA Standards:Section 4.3 #1 & #3, Section 4.4 #2
Students will have fun as they explore the depths of the mine shaft constructed for the 4th Grade California History Education Program. Children will also be able to see the types of tools used to dig and navigate through the mines.

Panning For Gold

Fulfills CA Standards:Section 4.3 #3, #4, & #5, Section 4.4 #2
Students will experience panning for “gold” using a working water trough. While panning, they will be educated on tools used to pan, the rush in economy and population growth in California.

Miner’s Camp

Fulfills CA Standards:Section 4.4 #2, #3 & #4
Students will experience a fun and real life demonstration given by a “49er” on life during the gold rush. This camp has all of the daily tools and equipment used during life in the 1840s. Visitors will have fun – as the miners did and learn games that helped pass time for the miners.

Water Wheel & Inventions

Fulfills CA Standards:Section 4.4 #1 #6 & #7
The water wheel demonstration is a true-to-life replica of a water wheel. Students and teachers will enjoy the water wheel and learn the importance of water during the gold rush as well as inventions that helped connect the East to West.

Wagons, Buggies & Transportation

Fulfills CA Standards: 4.3 #2 & #4, Section 4.4 #3
This portion of the program includes routes that settlers took to get to California from all directions and the lives they led while making the cross-country journey. A presentation will be made on important California history leaders including James Beckworth, John Bidwell, John C. Fremont and others.

Old West Boom Town & Women of the West

Fulfills CA Standards: 4.3 #4 & #5, Section 4.4 #2
Students will go inside and explore the different buildings that would have been built at that time. They will also learn about the important role that woman played during the move West and settlement of California.

All prices and information are subject to change without notice.

Please Note: smaller schools may be grouped together on the same day.

Testimonials

“The best field trip in my 14 years of teaching! Very organized, lots of information was effectively taught and the staff is very kind and made it fun. Thank you!”

Hansen Elementary School, Anaheim

“This is one of the best field trips that I have taken students on. Very informative. Excellent job!

Logden Elementary School, Temple City

“Everything about the experience was wonderful, thank you.”

Del Cerro Elementary School, Mission Viejo

“Amazing! You brought history to life. It was my very favorite field trip in 11 years of teaching”.

Hansen Elementary School, Anaheim

“I want to let you know that I was very impressed with the planning and effort you put into this great Gold Rush field trip. You did a marvelous job. The docents were all adept at keeping the students engaged and focused on each particular station. My students got more out of these two hours than from the textbook studying”.